Posts written in October 2016

With the third quarter GDP growth rate proving to be better than predicted at 0.5% (0.2% higher than estimated), Nissan has decided to remain in the UK, agreeing to invest further in its Sunderland manufacturing plant in North East England. Even though car manufacturing was down 1%, there have been signs of positivity for Nissan that has led to this decision. Exports for the manufacturer will become cheaper due to the falling exchange rate with the European Union possessing the UK motor industry’s biggest export market (57.3% of UK car… Read more

The global electrical and electronics retail market has experienced healthy growth in recent years, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5% between 2011 and 2015 to reach a value of almost $1.01 trillion, according to data from research company MarketLine. The trend of robust growth is set to continue, with MarketLine forecasting a market value of $1.47 trillion by 2020. MarketLine’s latest report shows that while market values have increased in all regions, global growth is primarily driven by Asia’s growth economies, as swelling middle classes begin to… Read more

When business acquisitions on this scale are announced they almost inevitably become political – hence extensive investment in political lobbying. Announcing a buyout, therefore, just weeks before one of the most acrimonious presidential races in living memory concludes gives a difficult birth. Both candidates have already declared their displeasure. Some Senators have also voiced concerns and their intent to heavily scrutinize any proposals that come before them. Exactly why this time should be chosen is unclear: it makes the deal far more politicized than need be the case, raising uncertainties… Read more

The UK voted to leave the European Union (EU) in a referendum undertaken in June 2016. The separation will be complex and will take many years to complete. However, the effects have been felt immediately. Since Brexit, the pound has dropped by 18%. After an initial tumble following the result, it fell further in October following Prime Minister Theresa May’s signal that she would use Brexit to tighten borders, even if it means losing access to the EU’s single market on the current terms. On October 18, the Office for… Read more

Ford, one of the world’s largest automotive and mobility companies, announced that it will be developing autonomous cars for use by 2021. As part of this goal, Ford will be investing in several startups, continuing its trend of making investments in technology in recent years. For example, Ford’s recent technology investments include Easy Access Door System, Active City Stop, Hands-Free Tailgate, and Active Park Assist. In the announcement, Ford said that it will also be investing in companies developing advanced algorithms, 3D mapping, LiDAR, and radar and camera sensors. These… Read more

Although the widespread adoption of smartphones has created very strong growth in the global mobile phone market over the past five years, this trend is set to slow markedly in the run up to 2020, as competition in the budget smartphone segment increases, and growth in mature markets slows, according to research company Marketline. The company’s latest report states that three consecutive years of double-digit value growth between 2012 and 2014 pushed the global mobile phone market’s compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to an impressive 12.2% from 2011 to 2015,… Read more

Sales of new cars globally will increase from around 62.5 million units in 2015 to over 73 million units by the end of 2020, representing a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%, according to data from research company MarketLine. The company’s latest report states that this steady rise can be attributed to the improving performance of the European market, which is offsetting slow growth in the large markets of Asia-Pacific (APAC) and the United States. Indeed, the recent slowdown in Brazil and Russia, as well as slower growth in China… Read more

At the present time the primary difficulty with the ship freight industry is one of oversupply, and the gulf between capacity and demand is growing still further. Market conditions are reigning in even the most competitive companies: Maersk, the Danish conglomerate and a leading company in the sector, is cutting jobs and has cancelled an order for six of the huge Triple-E super tankers. In such an environment, Hanjin cannot hope to survive – the demand simply does not exist for such a company anymore. No matter the quality of… Read more

The global skincare market has experienced healthy growth in recent years, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8% between 2011 and 2015 to reach a value of $104.1 billion, according to data from research company MarketLine. MarketLine’s report shows that market values have increased in all regions. Global growth, however, is primarily driven by Asia’s growth economies, as swelling middle classes begin to buy more expensive products, and those in lower income brackets start to purchase what they once deemed luxury items. Thanks to dynamic growth in countries… Read more